Australian Grand Prix Corporation sued over cancelled 2020 event

Australian Grand Prix organisers are being sued by a promoter who signed Miley Cyrus and Robbie Williams to appear at the canned 2020 event.

Robbie Williams and Daniel Ricciardo a day before the event was cancelled in 2020. Picture: David Caird

Australian Grand Prix Corporation is being sued for $8.7m over its last minute cancellation of the 2020 race.

World Touring Melbourne has launched Supreme Court action to recoup losses they claim to have incurred after signing headline acts Robbie Williams and Miley Cyrus to perform at the Albert Park event.

A statement of claim says the company lost $7,593,716 in costs and $1,128,357 in estimated profit after the race was scrapped because of coronavirus fears just before gates were due to open.

A breakdown of the promoter’s costs reveal they spent $1.94m attracting Williams, $147,000 on support acts and $3125 for the Veronicas. Cyrus’ fee is not included.

They also note venue and backstage costs of more than $96,000, technical and production $650,000, site costs including toilet hire and traffic management of $450,000, down to the production of wristbands and accreditation at $6400.

Court documents claim the Grand Prix Corporation entered into a deal with the touring company in January 2020 to provide live music for a World Tour Melbourne performance at Lakeside Stadium over two nights.

Spectators were lined up for action but the show was cancelled.

World Touring claims this included sourcing “A-list” talent with international notoriety, a full supporting line-up, promotion, set design and production.

It was billed as a “large scale, multi-artist, music event featuring a line-up of international and local A-list talent.”

Court documents claim World Touring procured Dainty as its local partner to help stage the event and they signed Williams in December 2019 and Cyrus in February 2020.

The writ alleges at 1.30pm on March 13 music representatives were called to a teleconference with Grand Prix Corporation general manager Craig Fletcher and told the event was off.

Singer Miley Cyrus was to headline a show that would double as a bushfire relief concert.

The Grand Prix was to be Robbie Williams only Australian concert in 2020. Picture: David Caird

They claim the Grand Prix Corporation breached their obligations to stage World Tour Melbourne and failed to provide a fit and proper venue to do so.

World Touring Melbourne are claiming loss and damages totalling $8,722,073 as well as damages and costs.

The Melbourne Grand Prix was called off after a McLaren team member tested positive to Covid and drivers from several Formula One teams raised safety concerns.

Fans were already gathering at gates ahead of the first day when the decision was made to pull the pin on the event.

Cyrus had canned her Australian visit days earlier, saying it unsafe to leave the US for her show which also included Lil Nas X, The Vernoicas and Seb Fontaine.

“I am so disappointed to not be there, but I have to do what is right to protect the health and safety of my band and crew,” she said at the time.

Grand Prix Corporation spokesman Haydn Lane said: “As the matter is before the court, we won’t be making comment at this time”.